In a world that often glorifies youth, it is time we shine a spotlight on the brilliant, bold, and battle-tested LGBTQ elders who are not only surviving — but thriving — and leading the charge in health advocacy. These trailblazers are rewriting the narrative around aging, HIV, and community care with wisdom, resilience, and a whole lot of style.

Wisdom in Action 

As a proud member of the NMAC 50+ Strong & Healthy Cohort, vice chair of the Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council for Ryan White Part A, and active participant in the Broward County Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Advisory Group and a member of the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN), I’ve seen firsthand how older LGBTQ advocates are transforming healthcare from the inside out. 

We are not just sitting on advisory boards, we are shaping policy, mentoring the next generation, and demanding equity in systems that once ignored us. Our lived experiences are our superpowers. We remember the fear of the early AIDS crisis, the silence, the stigma — and we have turned that pain into purpose. 

“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.” — Zanele Muholi, South African LGBTQ+ activist and artist. 

Intergenerational Impact: Bridging Wisdom and Energy 

One of the most transformative forces in LGBTQ health advocacy today is the intergenerational connection between elders and younger activists. It is not just a passing of the torch — it is a shared fire that fuels progress, compassion, and innovation. 

Older LGBTQ advocates bring decades of lived experience — surviving the AIDS crisis, fighting for visibility, and building community from the ground up. Their stories are not just history lessons; they are blueprints for resilience. Meanwhile, younger generations bring fresh perspectives, digital savvy, and a boldness that challenges outdated systems. 

Together, we are creating a continuum of care and leadership that spans generations. In spaces like the Ryan White Planning Council, EHE Advisory Boards, and NMAC 50+ Cohort, we see mentorship in action, where seasoned advocates guide, uplift, and collaborate with emerging leaders.

“When we listen to our elders, we don’t just hear the past — we hear the strategies for surviving the future.” — Community organizer at a South Florida EHE roundtable. 

This constructive collaboration is especially vital in HIV advocacy. Long-term survivors offer insight into what it means to live with HIV over decades, while younger people living with HIV are reshaping the conversation around stigma, treatment, and prevention. Together, we are normalizing conversations about U=U, PrEP, and aging with HIV, and ensuring that no one is left behind. 

Intergenerational advocacy also helps combat isolation, especially among LGBTQ elders who may lack family support. By fostering these connections, we are not just building policy, we are building chosen families, networks of care, and a legacy of love. 

Then & Now: A Timeline of LGBTQ+ Health Milestones 

Year Milestone 

1981: First cases of AIDS reported in the U.S. 

1990: Ryan White CARE Act signed into law. 

1996: HAART introduced, transforming HIV into a manageable condition. 2010 Affordable Care Act expands access to HIV care. 

2019: U.S. launches Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) 

2020s: U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) gains global awareness Today: LGBTQ+ elders lead national health equity conversations. 

Aging Loud, Proud, and Informed 

Let us be clear: aging is not a decline — it is a revolution. For LGBTQ elders, every wrinkle tells a story of resilience, every gray hair is a badge of honor, and every year is a victory over systems that once tried to erase us. 

We are not invisible. We are not done. We are not going anywhere. 

Thanks to decades of advocacy, medical breakthroughs, and community care, LGBTQ people are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. But we are not just living — we are thriving. We are dancing at Pride, leading policy discussions, mentoring youth, and showing the world that aging can be bold, beautiful, and unapologetically queer. 

“I didn’t survive the ’80s to be quiet now.” — Anonymous elder advocate at a recent HIV summit.

We are also redefining what it means to age with HIV. With access to treatment, support networks, and affirming care, many long-term survivors are now entering their 60s, 70s, and beyond. And they are doing it with style, sass, and a fierce sense of purpose. 

This is not just about health — it’s about visibility, dignity, and joy. It is about creating a world where LGBTQ elders are celebrated, not sidelined. Where our stories are told, our needs are met, and our contributions are honored. 

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to  start.” — George Takei 

So, whether you are 25 or 75, know this: the future of queer health advocacy is intergenerational, intersectional, and unstoppable. And it is powered by the brilliance of those who have been here all along. 

Von Biggs is a dedicated health equity advocate based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He serves as Vice Chair of the Ryan White Planning Council, a member of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Advisory Board, and an active participant in the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN). As a proud member of the NMAC 50+ Strong & Healthy Cohort, Von champions the voices of LGBTQ+ elders and long-term HIV survivors, working to build intergenerational bridges in healthcare and community leadership. His work is rooted in compassion, resilience, and a fierce commitment to visibility and justice.